Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the relationship between his tinnitus and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The tinnitus was not linked to his service, as it occurred many years after service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and lung disability (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disabilities was remanded by the Court. The effective date of his TDIU award is May 2, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard personnel and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has been reopened and is now being reviewed on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate condition, ganglion cysts (right foot and left wrist), degenerative joint disease (upper and lower extremities), back condition, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are all pending and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to address his service connection claims. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination for these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, resulting in the dismissal of both issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during service is sufficient to establish service connection. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show any in-service noise exposure or symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, nor is there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at 80 percent combined, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are causally related to his active military service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for tinnitus was also granted as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin rash, and heart disability were granted. Service connection was established for PTSD with a rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.